In Norse tradition, the god Odin would wander the earth during Yuletide and visit people’s homes. He was described in some of these myths as being an old man with a long white beard. This would be the same depiction that Father Christmas would acquire during the 15th century. Father Christmas would then become known by a variety of other names including Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, Santa Claus, and Kris Kringle.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Aaaaaannnnd welcome to Shit Everybody Knows.
Most European Christmas traditions have their origins in the customs practiced by pagan Europeans before they converted or were converted to Christianity.
Contrary to the popular narrative, these customs weren't stolen by Christianity. They were held over and repurposed by the former pagans in order to make the change in religions more comfortable and familiar-feeling.
Toonman
Level 6
Dec 6, 2021
1
Aren't you saying the same thing?
Probably.
But you have this coterie of idiots who get their nickers in a twist about this and will cry out in outrage, "CHRISTIANS STOLE (FILL IN THE BLANK)!"
This is bullshit. In the case of customs and traditions, Christians didn't steal anything. Pagans became Christians, and brought it along with them.
I recognize that we non-Christians have a justifiable axe to grind, but, seriously, we should channel our outrage toward greater crimes that the Church actually committed.
Some people say that the traditional Father Christmas figure is based on a Sámi shaman.
The costume of course is certainly close.
[folkcostume.blogspot.com]
Fernapple
Level 9
Dec 6, 2021
1
Bloody Vikings!
It would seem that Christianity steals so much from every other religion, then exterminates them.
Sofabeast
Level 7
Dec 6, 2021
1
Christianity didn't steal them. Pagans new to Christianity retained their pagan traditions and customs and repurposed them to fit their new religion.
This made them more comfortable with the change, and possibly did so by linking the ideas of the old religion to something they felt was common in the new one.
Your assertion of theft simply isn't true.
I know we all have animus toward Christianity, but there are many terrible things the church actually did that we can point to.
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